comparing them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparing them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of evaluating or analyzing two or more items, subjects, or concepts in relation to each other. Example: "In the study, we focused on comparing them to understand the differences in their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You're comparing them to themselves".

The New York Times

Was she really comparing them to animals?

The New Yorker

Maybe we should be comparing them to their male counterparts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There's no point in comparing them from year to year.

The New York Times - Sports

"I hate putting a curse on kids and comparing them to stars," Mr. Ramone says.

The New York Times

In comparing them, you start to glimpse the human behind the stone.

The Guardian - Arts

He has done a survey on reservations this year, comparing them with last year's.

The New York Times

Comparing them with a central database would then take about 12 minutes, he said.

The New York Times

Alt-J's vaguely experimental indie has had critics comparing them to Radiohead.

The Guardian - Music

Opponents say the centres are illegal, comparing them to concentration camps or gulags.

The Guardian

Just don't make the common foreigner's mistake of comparing them to Spanish tapas.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "comparing them", be specific about the criteria you are using for the comparison to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid only mentioning one side of the comparison. Ensure you address both (or all) items being compared to provide a comprehensive analysis when "comparing them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparing them" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a larger clause to describe an action or process. As shown by Ludwig, it usually refers to the act of evaluating the similarities and/or differences between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comparing them" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed gerund phrase used to describe the act of evaluating multiple entities. Ludwig AI analysis, derived from a multitude of real-world examples, indicates that it is commonly found in both scientific and news-related contexts. As Ludwig further suggests, the phrase is considered correct and is best used with a specific comparison criteria, while it is best to avoid using it if the comparison lacks a clear purpose. Alternative phrases such as "contrasting them" or "evaluating them" may be used to slightly alter the meaning or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrasting them

Focuses on highlighting the differences between the items being compared.

evaluating them

Implies a more formal and structured comparison, often with specific criteria.

analyzing them

Focuses on breaking down the items to understand their components and how they compare.

assessing them

Similar to evaluating, but can also include judging their worth or quality.

differentiating them

Highlights the process of distinguishing the items from each other.

relating them

Emphasizes finding connections or similarities between the items.

drawing comparisons

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the act of making comparisons.

making a comparison

Uses a more generic noun form to describe the action of comparing.

juxtaposing them

Suggests placing the items side by side to emphasize their differences or similarities.

correlating them

Focuses on finding a statistical relationship between the items.

FAQs

How can I use "comparing them" in a sentence?

"Comparing them" is used to describe the act of evaluating two or more things in relation to each other. For example: "The study involved "comparing them" to understand their differences.".

What are some alternatives to "comparing them"?

You can use alternatives like "contrasting them", "evaluating them", or "analyzing them" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "comparing them" and "making a comparison"?

"Comparing them" is a gerund phrase that emphasizes the action of comparing. "Making a comparison" is a noun phrase that refers to the result or act of comparing. They are largely interchangeable, but the first emphasizes the process, the second the result of the process.

When is it inappropriate to use "comparing them"?

It's generally appropriate in most contexts. However, avoid using "comparing them" if the comparison is irrelevant or lacks a clear purpose. Ensure the comparison adds value to the discussion.